Weekly Uplook - October 22
Beloved Seattle Saints,
Rain has arrived and the air quality has improved significantly here in Seattle. You know rain is something that we in the Pacific Northwest often take for granted. Our forests are generally green because of it and we have clean energy supplied by hydroelectric turbines on many of our rivers which run because of it. Most of us don’t even consider whether or not our drinking water is clean and pure because of the abundance of rain which resupplies the aquifers and reservoirs from which we get our drinking water.
This is quite different from the land of the Bible - Palestine which is mostly arid and dry. Crops depended upon the seasonal rains (early and later) and the people were acquainted with cisterns which captured such rainwater run off for future use. Hence we find many references in the Bible to God being the source of life giving rains upon those experiencing seasonal or long term drought. One of my favorites was recorded by the prophet Isaiah.
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, And floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, And my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, As willows by the water courses. Isaiah 44:3–4
The Bible also uses rain as a physical metaphor describing the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our church history is founded on what is known as the Latter Rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Los Angeles, CA in 1906 at Azusa Street. This terminology comes from the prophecy of Joel which speaks of God pouring out the early rain and the later rain. At the time it spoke of God’s faithful provision for Israel physically but also spoke of God’s spiritual provision by the Holy Spirit for all who would embrace the message of redemption. We are the gracious recipients of that wonderful provision in our day and time.
So…as we enter the fall season and as we anticipate our upcoming special meetings (Nov 12-13) may we not take for granted our need for spiritual rain to fall upon us. May we consider the spiritual thirst and dry ground that has developed over the past couple of years since we have had a chance to have such meetings and may we sincerely long for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s blessing upon us and our children just as Isaiah prophesied. May we and they spring up like trees near the water.
Oh yes…and don’t forget our Operation Christmas Child project. Boxes are available at church and should be returned no later than Sunday November 6 so we can get them properly shipped.
May the Lord pour out his blessing on us all in the days ahead is our sincere prayer. God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
Rain has arrived and the air quality has improved significantly here in Seattle. You know rain is something that we in the Pacific Northwest often take for granted. Our forests are generally green because of it and we have clean energy supplied by hydroelectric turbines on many of our rivers which run because of it. Most of us don’t even consider whether or not our drinking water is clean and pure because of the abundance of rain which resupplies the aquifers and reservoirs from which we get our drinking water.
This is quite different from the land of the Bible - Palestine which is mostly arid and dry. Crops depended upon the seasonal rains (early and later) and the people were acquainted with cisterns which captured such rainwater run off for future use. Hence we find many references in the Bible to God being the source of life giving rains upon those experiencing seasonal or long term drought. One of my favorites was recorded by the prophet Isaiah.
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, And floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, And my blessing upon thine offspring: 4 And they shall spring up as among the grass, As willows by the water courses. Isaiah 44:3–4
The Bible also uses rain as a physical metaphor describing the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Our church history is founded on what is known as the Latter Rain outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Los Angeles, CA in 1906 at Azusa Street. This terminology comes from the prophecy of Joel which speaks of God pouring out the early rain and the later rain. At the time it spoke of God’s faithful provision for Israel physically but also spoke of God’s spiritual provision by the Holy Spirit for all who would embrace the message of redemption. We are the gracious recipients of that wonderful provision in our day and time.
So…as we enter the fall season and as we anticipate our upcoming special meetings (Nov 12-13) may we not take for granted our need for spiritual rain to fall upon us. May we consider the spiritual thirst and dry ground that has developed over the past couple of years since we have had a chance to have such meetings and may we sincerely long for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s blessing upon us and our children just as Isaiah prophesied. May we and they spring up like trees near the water.
Oh yes…and don’t forget our Operation Christmas Child project. Boxes are available at church and should be returned no later than Sunday November 6 so we can get them properly shipped.
May the Lord pour out his blessing on us all in the days ahead is our sincere prayer. God bless you all.
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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